Technician II, Research

University of Ottawa•Ottawa, ON

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Core Molecular Biology and Genomics Laboratory (CMBGL) is a Core Facility at the Faculty of Science in the University of Ottawa. The CMBGL Technician performs varied and complex technical tasks requiring formal training, specialized knowledge and/or experience. Provides specialized lab management and/or testing services for professional staff or more senior technologists or technicians. The Technician is responsible for overseeing facility operations including managing and maintaining a suite of shared laboratory equipment and providing equipment trainings.

Requirements

University degree at the graduate level in biology, biochemistry, microbiology or a relevant discipline, or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Technical training and completion of apprenticeship program.
Sound understanding of the principles of in molecular biology, genomics, and tissue processing as they are applied in practical situations and the purpose of the test results requested.
Knowledge of a variety of standard laboratory procedures and techniques, of laboratory equipment and terminology, and of laboratory hazards and safety practices.
Minimum work experience required, or the equivalent MSc degree or higher.
Ability to operate and repair laboratory equipment.
Strong time management, organizational, and communication skills
Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

Nice To Haves

If this is a front-line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Responsibilities

Participates in designing, modifying and performing moderately complex experiments and systems.
Uses technically advanced procedures and assists in conducting moderately complex analysis and interpretation; works with all procedures, equipment and standards, especially those which are somewhat or highly complex.
Conducts tests to produce data appropriate for the immediate needs of the professional requesting the tests; discusses procedures and results with professional (e.g., Gene amplification and expression, sectioning, cell culture)
Understands the basic purpose for tests in order to make appropriate observations, adjust testing procedures and note anomalies.
Develops and writes new protocols and safety procedures.
Recommends modifications to test procedures, equipment and standards; contributes to development of new test procedures, equipment and standards.
Regularly interacts with the Office of Health & Safety at the Faculty of Science to maintain a safe environment.
Constructs, tests, repairs, calibrates and operates research, teaching and test equipment. These include (but are not limited to) thermocyclers and other PCR equipment, gel electrophoresis equipment, spectrophotometers, shakers, incubators, centrifuges, sectioning equipment, biosafety cabinets, and electroporators.
Troubleshoots and repairs moderately complex equipment and systems.
Operates and maintains specialized equipment requiring extensive training.
Demonstrates standardized methods of operating equipment to faculty, students, and other CMBGL users.
Conducts basic analysis using tools and techniques such as arithmetic and basic statistical calculations and tables.
Assists and advises on projects.
Is responsible for supplies and materials.
Maintains shop equipment.
Carries out other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of the position.
Assists in preparation and execution of a graduate courses held at the CMBGL.